DSLR AstroMod wrote in post #8380921
Question is, if I'm in the UK, with import duty (4% ) plus VAT ( 15.5% ) slapped on its hardly going to be a bargain anymore right?
That's the chance you take, unless DR are offering to pay the duty & VAT in the listing. If you have to pay it, it's not going to be a great bargain, particularly once the shipping company slaps the handling charge on as well.
The key word there is IF you have to pay it. Some packages get checked and charged, some don't. It's a lottery with no predictability at all. If you get it through without being charged it's a great saving, otherwise it's not and you still have the disadvantage of a HK warranty if it goes belly up.
Also, C&E have a habit of charging based on the "think of a number" system and have overcharged me on more than one occasion. One time, a parcel clearly marked as $19 (which is under the minimum for charging, so it wasn't even liable for duty or VAT) was calculated as £19 so they charged me duty and VAT on a value some 50% higher than the item had actually cost, plus I got hit with an £8 handling fee from the pirate who delivered it. All in, the charges about doubled the cost of the item.
In theory you can claim back any excess charges, but C&E have a really convoluted claim process. It relies on you getting fed up with all the forms you get sent and the way it gets dragged out makes it a complete waste of time unless for a large amount.
NigelD wrote in post #8403089From what I can remember when I checked up, cameras and camera bodies tend to attract import duty but lenses and accessories don't but I'm sure someone will correct me if I'm wrong.
I believe you're right, from memory. However, they are ALL still liable for VAT and that's the expensive part. The duty is fairly low in comparison.
